2014 Official FA Thread

[DirtyDez]

how about bledsoe for oladipo? (i see INF nodding his head.)

Wouldn't touch this if I were Orlando. Dipo is younger/cheaper and has some Wade in him.

Should've tanked harder last year.

[bwgood77]

Just thinking, if Orlando somehow ends up with Wiggins in the draft, and then offers Bledsoe a max, what do you do?

I'd probably attempt a S&T, but I'm getting more and more convinced it might not be worth it to match it, as good as Dragic plays without Bledsoe on the floor, with the meniscus surgery, etc.

I just don't want to see Bledsoe ending up being an untradeable max contract like Gordon, who may have recurring injuries. Yes, I trust our medical staff.

But even if he is healthy, is he worth it as good as we play and Dragic plays without him? It would be tough to let him walk, and would be nice if we could get back Afflalo or someone for him, but a max contract just seems steep seeing how well we play without him, especially when we'd likely have to give Dragic a similar contract soon to keep him.

[Revived]

I just hope Orlando goes after Kyle Lowry or Patty Mills instead.

[bigfoot]

Just thinking, if Orlando somehow ends up with Wiggins in the draft, and then offers Bledsoe a max, what do you do?

I'd probably attempt a S&T, but I'm getting more and more convinced it might not be worth it to match it, as good as Dragic plays without Bledsoe on the floor, with the meniscus surgery, etc.

I just don't want to see Bledsoe ending up being an untradeable max contract like Gordon, who may have recurring injuries. Yes, I trust our medical staff.

But even if he is healthy, is he worth it as good as we play and Dragic plays without him? It would be tough to let him walk, and would be nice if we could get back Afflalo or someone for him, but a max contract just seems steep seeing how well we play without him, especially when we'd likely have to give Dragic a similar contract soon to keep him.

Bledsoe certainly greater than Ish and Barbs. He would get all their minutes and we would win more games. The real question Is he worth a max contract?? A defensive minded point guard scoring 18 and dishing 6+ per game is definitely worth $13M+ (e.g., Rondo)

[bwgood77]

Just thinking, if Orlando somehow ends up with Wiggins in the draft, and then offers Bledsoe a max, what do you do?

I'd probably attempt a S&T, but I'm getting more and more convinced it might not be worth it to match it, as good as Dragic plays without Bledsoe on the floor, with the meniscus surgery, etc.

I just don't want to see Bledsoe ending up being an untradeable max contract like Gordon, who may have recurring injuries. Yes, I trust our medical staff.

But even if he is healthy, is he worth it as good as we play and Dragic plays without him? It would be tough to let him walk, and would be nice if we could get back Afflalo or someone for him, but a max contract just seems steep seeing how well we play without him, especially when we'd likely have to give Dragic a similar contract soon to keep him.

Bledsoe certainly greater than Ish and Barbs. He would get all their minutes and we would win more games. The real question Is he worth a max contract?? A defensive minded point guard scoring 18 and dishing 6+ per game is definitely worth $13M+ (e.g., Rondo)

Yeah, but Rondo signed a 5 year, $55 million deal, so it averaged $11 million per year. That would be worth it, and tradeable (if he can stay healthy).

I'm not all for trading him, but is our play better enough WITH him to pay him a max? Or even $13 million a year? Especially if we could get assets for him to address other areas where our needs are greater?

I love the two pronged attack, but I also love the way we play with Dragic running it all, and Green knocking down threes with plenty of opportunities to do so. I'm not saying Green can be that consistent, but someone else (that maybe we could get for Bledsoe could).

I just hope we don't end up losing Dragic because we paid Bledsoe the max. I'm not sure McD would want to pay $25 million+ to two point guards long term.

[bwgood77]

I just hope Orlando goes after Kyle Lowry or Patty Mills instead.

Or maybe they end up with Exum, Smart or Ennis by getting pushed down to the 5th or 6th pick in the draft.

[bigfoot]

Just thinking, if Orlando somehow ends up with Wiggins in the draft, and then offers Bledsoe a max, what do you do?

I'd probably attempt a S&T, but I'm getting more and more convinced it might not be worth it to match it, as good as Dragic plays without Bledsoe on the floor, with the meniscus surgery, etc.

I just don't want to see Bledsoe ending up being an untradeable max contract like Gordon, who may have recurring injuries. Yes, I trust our medical staff.

But even if he is healthy, is he worth it as good as we play and Dragic plays without him? It would be tough to let him walk, and would be nice if we could get back Afflalo or someone for him, but a max contract just seems steep seeing how well we play without him, especially when we'd likely have to give Dragic a similar contract soon to keep him.

Bledsoe certainly greater than Ish and Barbs. He would get all their minutes and we would win more games. The real question Is he worth a max contract?? A defensive minded point guard scoring 18 and dishing 6+ per game is definitely worth $13M+ (e.g., Rondo)

Yeah, but Rondo signed a 5 year, $55 million deal, so it averaged $11 million per year. That would be worth it, and tradeable (if he can stay healthy).

I'm not all for trading him, but is our play better enough WITH him to pay him a max? Or even $13 million a year? Especially if we could get assets for him to address other areas where our needs are greater?

I love the two pronged attack, but I also love the way we play with Dragic running it all, and Green knocking down threes with plenty of opportunities to do so. I'm not saying Green can be that consistent, but someone else (that maybe we could get for Bledsoe could).

I just hope we don't end up losing Dragic because we paid Bledsoe the max. I'm not sure McD would want to pay $25 million+ to two point guards long term.

I really can't see losing Dragic. He will certainly take his player option at the end of the 2015 season. Fortunately, our books look pretty clean other than Bledsoe and hopefully a quality free agent from the summer of 2014.

[INFORMER-93]

I just hope Orlando goes after Kyle Lowry or Patty Mills instead.

I would take Patty Mills at 3yrs/11 million over Bledsoe at 4yrs/$60 million.

[Revived]

I just hope Orlando goes after Kyle Lowry or Patty Mills instead.

I would take Patty Mills at 3yrs/11 million over Bledsoe at 4yrs/$60 million.

Mills will cost more than that and I think Bledsoe has a much higher ceiling than Mills.

[INFORMER-93]

I just hope Orlando goes after Kyle Lowry or Patty Mills instead.

I would take Patty Mills at 3yrs/11 million over Bledsoe at 4yrs/$60 million.

Mills will cost more than that and I think Bledsoe has a much higher ceiling than Mills.

How much will he cost then?

Bledsoe is unquestionably a better player than Mills, but that's not the point. The question is, which situation would have greater value for the Suns? I believe Bledsoe's utility to the Suns is not worth $12-15 million a season and that utility can be covered with a couple of value signings.

[Revived]

I would take Patty Mills at 3yrs/11 million over Bledsoe at 4yrs/$60 million.

Mills will cost more than that and I think Bledsoe has a much higher ceiling than Mills.

How much will he cost then?

Bledsoe is unquestionably a better player than Mills, but that's not the point. The question is, which situation would have greater value for the Suns? I believe Bledsoe's utility to the Suns is not worth $12-15 million a season and that utility can be covered with a couple of value signings.

Bledsoe is worth $12M/yr but that's about the highest I would go. I'd rather have a star caliber player at a slightly overpaid contract than a bunch of role players at good contacts.

[DirtyDez]

I just hope Orlando goes after Kyle Lowry or Patty Mills instead.

I would take Patty Mills at 3yrs/11 million over Bledsoe at 4yrs/$60 million.

I would rather have Rondo for 1.5 years then have the cap space to easily re-sign Dragic. Ok there's my one Rondo-reference.

Assuming Bledsoe-Tucker-Frye get extensions this summer that's what probably a combined 90M then Goran opts our the following year...

[INFORMER-93]

Mills will cost more than that and I think Bledsoe has a much higher ceiling than Mills.

How much will he cost then?

Bledsoe is unquestionably a better player than Mills, but that's not the point. The question is, which situation would have greater value for the Suns? I believe Bledsoe's utility to the Suns is not worth $12-15 million a season and that utility can be covered with a couple of value signings.

Bledsoe is worth $12M/yr but that's about the highest I would go. I'd rather have a star caliber player at a slightly overpaid contract than a bunch of role players at good contacts.

I'm certainly not advocating trying to win without stars. I just rather have the right star than just settle for any star. And what has to be factored in is that the Suns have Dragic; that minimizes Bledsoe's utility to this team. I rather have a player of Bledsoe's caliber at the 2, 3, 4 or 5, because, IMO, that would make more of a difference than trying to contend with the Bledsoe/Dragic combo.

[Revived]

How much will he cost then?

Bledsoe is unquestionably a better player than Mills, but that's not the point. The question is, which situation would have greater value for the Suns? I believe Bledsoe's utility to the Suns is not worth $12-15 million a season and that utility can be covered with a couple of value signings.

Bledsoe is worth $12M/yr but that's about the highest I would go. I'd rather have a star caliber player at a slightly overpaid contract than a bunch of role players at good contacts.

I'm certainly not advocating trying to win without stars. I just rather have the right star than just settle for any star. And what has to be factored in is that the Suns have Dragic; that minimizes Bledsoe's utility to this team. I rather have a player of Bledsoe's caliber at the 2, 3, 4 or 5, because, IMO, that would make more of a difference than trying to contend with the Bledsoe/Dragic combo.

I think Dragic can be a solid SG and I think Bledsoe can be the PG. I think playing with Bledsoe will help Dragic elevate his game even further rather than diminish it.

Dragic, Bledsoe backcourt and all need is a 3 & D guy at the 3, and a PF who can defend, rebound, score inside and outside and a C who can protect the rim at a very high level.

[INFORMER-93]

I think Dragic can be a solid SG and I think Bledsoe can be the PG. I think playing with Bledsoe will help Dragic elevate his game even further rather than diminish it.

Dragic, Bledsoe backcourt and all need is a 3 & D guy at the 3, and a PF who can defend, rebound, score inside and outside and a C who can protect the rim at a very high level.

You're right, Dragic is a really solid SG, but he is an even better point guard. The more Dragic has the ball in his hands, the better. Dragic and Bledsoe are really good together, but I think Dragic paired with a guy that can catch and shoot (like Patty Mills) would be even better.

The lineup you described, that's a nice recipe for a 50-win team. But unless that's an All-Star power forward in your lineup, I don't think that's a championship team. And I know we've disagreed on this before, but I will say it again: I think that lineup needs more than a 3 and D guy at the 3 spot, depending on how good that power forward is.

[Revived]

I think Dragic can be a solid SG and I think Bledsoe can be the PG. I think playing with Bledsoe will help Dragic elevate his game even further rather than diminish it.

Dragic, Bledsoe backcourt and all need is a 3 & D guy at the 3, and a PF who can defend, rebound, score inside and outside and a C who can protect the rim at a very high level.

You're right, Dragic is a really solid SG, but he is an even better point guard. The more Dragic has the ball in his hands, the better. Dragic and Bledsoe are really good together, but I think Dragic paired with a guy that can catch and shoot (like Patty Mills) would be even better.

The lineup you described, that's a nice recipe for a 50-win team. But unless that's an All-Star power forward in your lineup, I don't think that's a championship team. And I know we've disagreed on this before, but I will say it again: I think that lineup needs more than a 3 and D guy at the 3 spot, depending on how good that power forward is.

No I'll actually agree with you there. I think either our PF or SF need to be someone who can create their own offense at least a little bit and be able to play well on both ends of the court. And the other forward can be someone that is completely dedicated to defense. Our SF definitely has to be someone who is very athletic and at least as good as Tucker defensively.

As for Dragic, I have watched him these past 2 years and the one thing I have noticed is that he can't carry the team on his back for a whole season and especially not consistently against good teams which will happen in the playoffs.

If teams trap Dragic and double him, he either has to have someone else create or he will end up trying to do too much and will turn it over.

You described us needing a SG who is good at catch and shoot right? We have one right now in Green who is great at it and yet our record with the Green-Dragic backcourt is like barely 13-11.

Who ever our SG is has to be someone that can create really well for himself and others to give Dragic a rest and so that teams can zone in on Dragic.

A good example of this was last game against Miami when they took the ball out of Dragic's hands and Green made them pay for it (he had like 26 pts on very good shooting) but we still lost cause nobody else could create for the others.

At first I was skeptical about the Dragic-Bledsoe backcourt but after watching it in action, I am very confident that it could work and it will help Bledsoe but it will help Dragic even more. Goran will be able to preserve a l of energy even when he is playing on the court as someone else can create instead of him.

Plus Dragic is horrific when guarding the quick PGs but excellent when guarding SGs. Bledsoe specializes in guarding the quick PGs so its a perfect match defensively too.

The only concern I have with the Dragic-Bledsoe backcourt is that sometimes they get caught ball watching instead of cutting. But that should improve with time.

[INFORMER-93]

You described us needing a SG who is good at catch and shoot right? We have one right now in Green who is great at it and yet our record with the Green-Dragic backcourt is like barely 13-11.

Who ever our SG is has to be someone that can create really well for himself and others to give Dragic a rest and so that teams can zone in on Dragic.

Uh, no, Gerald Green does not qualify as the type of player I was talking about.

And I said the player playing next to Dragic needs catch and shoot ability, I didn't day that's the only thing he should be capable of doing. Again, that's why I'm using Patty Mills as an example. He can create off the dribble, but you can also leave the ball in Dragic's hands and still have Mills be able to be a significant factor.

As for Dragic, I have watched him these past 2 years and the one thing I have noticed is that he can't carry the team on his back for a whole season and especially not consistently against good teams which will happen in the playoffs.

If teams trap Dragic and double him, he either has to have someone else create or he will end up trying to do too much and will turn it over.

I'm not asking him to carry the team by himself or for him to be the lone ball-handler on the court. I just think he's at his best when he's the primary ball-handler, and that doesn't happen when Bledsoe's in the lineup.

[BVPN]

Any interest in taking a flier on Granger rest of the season if he gets waived by philly? I know teams like the heat and clippers will want him too but maybe if we offer more money just for the rest of this season he could help us out in the playoff run.

[In2ition]

Any interest in taking a flier on Granger rest of the season if he gets waived by philly? I know teams like the heat and clippers will want him too but maybe if we offer more money just for the rest of this season he could help us out in the playoff run.

I think that's doable. I may be missing something, but I can't think of a downside right now.

[WeekapaugGroove]

Any interest in taking a flier on Granger rest of the season if he gets waived by philly? I know teams like the heat and clippers will want him too but maybe if we offer more money just for the rest of this season he could help us out in the playoff run.

i just posted that on the trade board I'm totally cool with taking a flyer on granger.